Renowned actress Terry Pheto who will be acting as Winnie Mandela in BET’s upcoming mini-series has been signed by a major talent agency in Hollywood called Paradigm Talent Agency.
Paradigm Talent Agency as well represents some big names and actors in Hollywood such as Adrien Brody, Antonio Banderas, and Laurence Fishburne.
Terry Pheto will be starring as Winnie Mandela alongside Laurnce Fishburne in an upcoming BET series titled Madiba and the actress revealed that she has been on her toes preparing for this epic role.
Speaking to TMG Entertainment during a sit down interview Terry expressed her fierce passion for the story and the role she plays.
“I feel like I’ve been preparing for this role my entire career. It’s a dream role for me, and I feel like everything that I’ve done has led me to this.”
Terry says that everything about the story of Madiba resonates with her and she remembers iconic moments of Ma Winnie during the struggle.
“Being South African and remembering this icon that my mother and aunts looked up to- this woman of strength, grace, beauty and courage. I see this role as an honour and a huge responsibility and I do not take it for granted. The fact that I’m playing Winnie Mandela, I know what it means to a lot of people, myself included, and I do not take that for granted,” Terry said about being cast as Winnie.
The actress added that she hopes Ma Winnie will look at her performance and be proud.
“Preparing for this role over the past few months is the loneliest I’ve ever felt, because you watch documentaries and you read material, and you realise very few people would have survived what she went through. And to still be standing, smiling and composed with every interview- it’s been a journey but a beautiful one.”
Terry says that the struggle hero has taught her about the power of inner strength and the will to survive.
“Sometimes we have no idea how we can survive certain situations until we are faced with them and there’s nothing else but to survive. And the strength that we have within.”
Some of the moments that inspires Terry was when Winnie was being tortured in isolation.
“There were moments where she would look forward to fainting even for a second, so that her body can rest and then she could wake up and be brave again, and be tortured. As much as she was tortured and broken she remained whole, and put a smile on and gave people hope everyday. “